Mira stood in awe as the door behind her closed seamlessly into the mountain, vanishing as if it had never existed. She found herself in an expansive valley framed by gently sloping hills and adorned with fields of shimmering wildflowers that seemed to sway in rhythm to an invisible melody.
The air here felt saturated with a soft, nurturing energy. Unlike other zones, it wasn't overly potent or stifling. Instead, it hummed gently, inviting her to explore the richness that lay in wait.
The atmosphere naturally evoked a meditative state, subtly urging cultivators to look inward. Mira felt the constant pull toward introspection, a lure to engage in a deeper dialogue with her innermost thoughts and energies.
She found a serene spot under a towering, ancient tree, its leaves whispering secrets of timeless wisdom. Here, she chose to sit, crossing her legs and closing her eyes, diving into a trance-like state of meditation.
Almost immediately, she sensed multiple threads of energy coursing through the environment, as varied and complex as the zone itself. Elemental energies like fire, water, and wind intermingled with more elusive forms like Yin and Yang.
Rather than focusing on just absorbing these energies, Mira tried something different. She engaged her Primal Energy heart and used it as a nexus to align with each type of energy.
Each of her nine tails acted as a conduit, channeling a specific energy type into her core.
Soon, her Primal Energy heart was not just a container but a crucible, fusing these diverse energies into unique patterns and flows.
The process felt less like absorption and more like a conversation—an exchange of wisdom and insights that expanded her understanding of Qi and the fundamental laws governing their world.
Time lost its meaning as Mira immersed herself deeper in her meditative trance. Her senses expanded, not just outwardly but inwardly. Thoughts and memories long forgotten resurfaced, intermingling with new insights.
Through this, she unconsciously shifted into her Human form, as it was the most optimal for any kind of energy control.
Suddenly, in this state of heightened clarity, Mira was struck by enlightenment—an epiphany that brought a sense of profound understanding.
It was as if she had unlocked a latent potential, a secret technique encoded in her very DNA, waiting for the right circumstances to be awakened.
With her mind's eye, she visualized this technique, a complex array of movements and energy flows that promised to harmonize her physical, emotional, and intellectual selves into a singular force.
Though it would take time and practice to master, the mere understanding of its possibility was a significant leap forward. Perhaps, one day, she might be able to do something like change the aspect of her Qi depending on her mood or maybe enhance her brain to a higher extent, allowing her to rapidly create, learn, and master all kinds of techniques.
The possibilities were virtually endless, and the only thing she'd need to do was explore them.
'I suppose that's the beauty yet complexity of Qi.' Mira thought. 'There are so many possibilities, so many pathways one can take. What's right for one person may be wrong for another.'
'However, I also have to remind myself not to get caught up in other people's insights. The basics are fine, but everyone is unique. Sometimes, other people's advice can narrow one's vision instead of expanding it.'
The same went for her. She was Dominique's Master, but she'd been teaching the girl like a successor instead of being a guide that could help her find the right direction.
Even now, she was still in the habit of handing out advice on things that SHE learned. It would probably be more beneficial if she pushed Dominique to learn certain concepts herself.
'Good thing I didn't allow her to continue cultivating just yet. I don't want to hinder her development because I'm too lazy of a teacher.' Mira pondered, her mind slightly drifting away from the scenes of slicing Maria in half.
She glanced at her ring, which was still chaotic, and sighed. She pushed down all those negative emotions, not wanting to deal with those yet.
If Maria were truly dead, then she'd grieve properly after all this was over, but she knew better than to rush things. If Maria were alive, then she'd be waiting for her.
If she wasn't… then it was already too late, and there was no need to try and speed through everything.
Was that cold and detached? Yes, and she acknowledged that, but it was the most logical solution that didn't stray from her goals.
If there was one thing she could always rely on, it was her rationality, and she wouldn't change today.
'I'm still going to turn the Guardian into a eunuch, though. How dare that bastard put me through this!'
"OI! It wasn't me! I swear! It was the Firmament! Cut its balls off instead!" His voice rang in her head.
'It doesn't have those, so you're the next best thing.' Mira responded before shouts of 'supposed' innocence were directed to her mind, but she ignored the man.
Finally, Mira chose to withdraw from her meditation, aware that she had spent what could've been days or weeks in her trance.
As she opened her eyes, her senses were greeted by a different scenery. The valley was now bathed in the soft glow of twilight, and the celestial bodies above seemed to bow in acknowledgment of her newfound wisdom.
Eager to explore more of the Meditative Zone, she rose to her feet, feeling lighter and more attuned to her surroundings. She was still in her human form and decided to keep it that way since that seemed to be part of her 'trial'.
Mira sensed her surroundings with heightened awareness and expanded her Soul Sense.
She couldn't help but marvel at the scale of the Meditative Zone—a domain that seemed specifically designed to catalyze leaps of understanding, both in cultivation and personal growth.
Yet, despite the tranquil energy that pervaded the zone, her senses picked up the presence of others—perhaps fellow cultivators who had earned their passage into this realm.
With a flick of her tails, or rather the lack thereof, she sent a cascade of Qi rippling through the valley.
Her senses locked onto a few distinct energy signatures scattered across different pockets of the valley. Each aura felt focused, wrapped up in its own world of meditation or cultivation, much like she had been earlier. Despite their powerful presence, she felt no malice emanating from any of them.
The valley was generous and full of opportunities to acquire and cultivate unique resources.
As she ventured further, her eyes fell upon peculiar plants imbued with nourishing Qi and various mineral formations vibrating with dense, complex energies.
Not wanting to waste the chance, she collected them in her Storage Space. Some plants had leaves shaped like perfect hexagons with pulsating colors. Minerals shimmered in multiple hues, each color representing a different elemental affinity.
Mira couldn't help but marvel at the bounty laid before her, a treasure trove of materials that were not just physically rich but also energetically potent in their own unique ways. Though less concentrated than what she might find in other zones, these resources were more nuanced, asking the cultivator to engage with them on a level beyond mere absorption.
She took a moment to tap into her Primal Energy heart, contemplating how best to integrate these new finds into her cultivation journey. It seemed like every aspect of this realm—from its landscapes to its resources—was an invitation to deepen her awareness and refine her techniques.
As she was about to resume her exploration, a soft hum echoed in the air, pulling her attention towards a grove of luminous trees with bioluminescent blossoms that appeared to hold crystallized Qi within them.
Intrigued, she moved closer and noticed that each blossom was vibrating at a different frequency, creating a symphony of light and sound that was almost hypnotic in its complexity.
It took her a moment to realize that this wasn't just a natural spectacle. The trees were alive in a more profound sense—they were living, breathing conduits of various energies.
Their luminescent hues weren't just random; they seemed to resonate with specific energy types, forming a complex network that perhaps served a more significant purpose.
Intrigued by the spectacle, she extended her hand to touch one of the blossoms. As her fingers made contact, there was a flash of resonance between the blossom and her Primal Energy heart.
Information flowed into her mind, an overwhelming torrent of insights about the Meditative Zone and its interwoven energies. Her body instinctively began to assimilate the influx, not just absorbing but integrating, reorganizing her internal pathways to accommodate this newfound wisdom.
It seemed to really connect with her vast array of meridians formed from the World Tree seed.
'Interesting…'
'Was this part of the trial, too? Or perhaps a reward for understanding the essence of the Meditative Zone?' she wondered, pulling her hand back, her eyes filled with a sense of awe.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching and turned to see a figure walking toward her. It was a woman, her appearance somewhat ethereal, her eyes reflective pools that seemed to hold entire galaxies within them.
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